This is a follow up to a post I wrote a few months ago about Burt’s Bees. I have received an email from Burt’s Bees confirming that it has joined the CCIC’s list of cruelty-free companies as of April 15! Isn’t that wonderful? So you can now buy Burt’s Bees products with a clear conscience. (Burt’s Bees is even going to license the leaping bunny logo — isn’t that wonderful?)
Just to be clear about this, Burt’s Bees is owned by Clorox, which performs horrific tests on animals. However, if you buy Burt’s Bees products now, you are giving money to Clorox to NOT test on animals. Which I think is a good thing — it encourages companies to go cruelty-free in a way all the protests in the world do not. (There are several other companies that are cruelty-free but are owned by companies that do test on animals — I’ve starred them in my list of cruelty-free products — they are Tom’s of Maine, the Body Shop, and Pureology.)
This appears to be good news, although I still have a difficult time purchasing anything that is made or owned by Clorox.
I’m curious, does this mean that Burts will not be using bees wax or lanolin in their products anymore? I can’t see how they can be cruelty free when they use animal products/by-products.
Thanks for the news!
Comment by Gary — April 22, 2008 @ 4:14 am
Dear Gary,
I feel the same way!
To answer your question — this does not mean Burts Bess will stop using beeswax or lanolin. Burt’s Bees is still not vegan (as far as I know). CCIC certification doesn’t require lack of animal byproducts — just lack of animal testing.
Regards,
Emily
Comment by Emily — April 22, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Ahhh. Thanks for clearing that up. I can’t say that it makes sense to me but I do understand the distinction.
Comment by Gary — April 25, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Oh good. Glad to be of help! You’d think some organization would do a combined no-animal-testing and no-animal-byproducts certification. But I haven’t found one. Though Vegan Action does have a good list — I think most, if not all of the stuff on it is CCIC-approved and certified vegan.
Comment by Emily — April 25, 2008 @ 10:33 am
Great news!!!
Comment by Natasha — April 25, 2008 @ 10:43 am
Isn’t it? I’m very happy about it
Comment by Emily — April 25, 2008 @ 10:50 pm
Me too! :)I’m seeing burt bees products more and more here in drugstores.
Comment by Natasha — May 8, 2008 @ 6:33 am
[…] categorically not ever, I empathize with her mistrust of the whole organization. I read today that Burt’s Bees has gone cruelty-free though the parent company has […]
Pingback by SITES TO KNOW : LIVING CRUELTY FREE : A Greener Tea — June 16, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Emily, thanks so much. I had no idea Clinique tests on animals. I just tossed one of their lipsticks in the trash. I do have one question about the new Clorox “green” products. I bought them out of desperation (local grocer doesn’t carry many options) and sort of feel that by buying them, maybe Clorox will go completely green one of these years or at least continue to make such products available to the mass market. What are your comments? Thanks!
Comment by michelle — June 23, 2008 @ 1:29 pm
Dear Michelle,
You’re very welcome!
Gosh, your Clorox question is tricky. I guess I personally wouldn’t buy any Clorox green products because I wouldn’t want to give Clorox any money for testing on animals.
But putting that aside for the moment (and I fully understand that sometimes you just don’t have any options at your local supermarket!), I think you’re spot on with your thoughts about buying Clorox green products — i.e., it’s a GREAT way to encourage Clorox to go green. In effect, you’re giving money to Clorox to be nice to the environment — it’s a FAR more effective way of encouraging Clorox to be nice to the environment than boycotting Clorox products or protesting Clorox with signs. You’re helping the environment!
Regards,
Emily
Comment by Emily — June 24, 2008 @ 1:05 am
Thanks for writing back Emily! This is a terrific site. I think I’ll try to encourage my market to offer other actual cruelty-free products in addition to the Clorox Green products. I really appreciate your insight! Keep up the terrific work!
Comment by michelle — June 24, 2008 @ 9:03 am